Modified Putter Grip

ABSTRACT

A two-piece putter grip is provided wherein a divot repair tool and ball marker are incorporated into the removable end of the putter grip. The putter grip encompasses two separate interlocking parts, (a) a lower section which is permanently attached to the putter and (b) a removable upper section which contains both the divot repair tool and the ball marker. The removable upper section attaches to the permanent lower section using a mating system to firmly attach to the lower section, while allowing the removable upper portion to be readily removed for use in repairing divots on the green. A ball marker is attached to this removable upper portion in such a way as to be readily available to the golfer for use in marking the golf ball position on the green.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

My invention relates generally to golf clubs. More specifically, my invention relates to putter grips. My invention incorporates the divot repair tool and the ball marker into the putter grip, allowing the golfer convenient access to both as needed during play. Traditional putter grips function only as a grip.

Keeping the greens on a golf course in pristine condition is very important to golfers and to the caretakers of the golf course. Indentations (called divots) on the green (caused by the golfer's ball striking the green) cause putts to veer off the intended path and will kill the grass if the divots are not properly repaired. Proper golf etiquette suggests that golfers repair these indentations. Golf etiquette also suggests that golfers pick up their ball from the green and mark its' location so as not to restrict another golfer's path to the hole. Picking up the ball also offers the golfer an opportunity to clean debris from his/her golf ball prior to putting.

Golfers frequently have problems keeping track of their divot repair tool and ball marker. Prior to the beginning of the round, golfers can be seen rummaging through the deep pockets of their golf bags looking for their divot repair tool and ball marker. During play, divot repair tools and ball markers are usually kept in the pants pocket of the golfer. It is often difficult for the golfer to locate and remove these items from the pants pocket while standing on the green and holding a putter. This holds up play. More importantly, the golfer is more unlikely to fix his/her divot on the green if a divot repair tool is not easily at hand. This breach of etiquette is one of the most common in golf and one of the most damaging. These problems demonstrate the need for my two-section putter grip which incorporates a truly accessible divot repair tool and ball marker. Others have made similar attempts to attach a divot repair tool to the putter grip, but none have the convenience, function, or aesthetics of my two-section putter grip. Accordingly, my invention is presented below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of my invention is to offer a putter grip with built-in ball marker and divot repair tool which is easy to use, appealing to the eye, and overcomes the problems listed above.

My invention with built-in divot repair tool and ball marker is designed to have the look, feel, and shape of putter grips generally known in the industry. My invention uses two mating sections to accomplish this. The lower section is designed to receive the putter shaft on one end and to receive the removable upper section on the other end. Said removable upper section contains the divot repair tool protruding from one end and at the other end incorporates a retaining structure designed to hold the ball marker flush to the flat surface of the grip. The two sections of the putter grip mate precisely and firmly, yet the upper section is easily separated from the lower section providing convenient access to the divot repair tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. shows the overall assembly of the putter grip with part A being the removable upper section and part B being the lower section which is attached to the putter shaft.

FIG. 2. is an exploded view of the lower section B.

FIG. 3. is an exploded view of the removable upper section A.

FIG. 4. is an exploded view of the overall assembly.

FIG. 5. is a side cross-sectional view of the overall assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

My invention is a two-section putter grip designed to contain a divot repair tool and a ball marker as shown generally in FIG. 1. The putter grip shown in the drawings illustrates a preferred embodiment, but a variety of shapes and configurations are contemplated. The putter grip can vary in length and girth, be made of any suitable material, and be configured to mount on any golf putter. Additionally, the putter grip may be manufactured using several suitable methods including machining, 3D printing, casting, extruding, turning, laminating, or other means known in the industry.

The two-section putter grip shown in FIG. 1. comprises a lower section B, and a removable upper section A:

-   -   The exploded view of lower section B as shown in FIG. 2. shows:         -   the main body E of the lower section.         -   lower half of the interlock D. Interlock D designed to             securely attach the upper section A to lower section B.         -   magnets C. Magnets C used to securely attach upper section A             to lower section B.     -   The exploded view of upper section A as shown in FIG. 3. shows:         -   the main body F of the upper section.         -   the divot repair tool H. The divot repair tool H preferably             has two metal tines as shown but any suitable shape or             material is contemplated.     -   upper half of the interlock G. Interlock G designed to securely         attach the upper section A to lower section B.     -   the recessed area located on the flat surface of main body F         contains a magnet J of sufficient strength to hold the ball         marker I in place. The function of the recessed area and the         magnet J is to hold the ball marker I flush and securely in         place yet allow the ball marker I to be slideably removed and         replaced. Ideally, the recessed area contains a magnet J, but         other methods of attachment (such as a slot or a clip) are         contemplated.     -   the side cross-sectional view of the complete assembly as shown         in FIG. 5. shows:         -   a rounded hollow opening in lower section B to receive the             putter shaft         -   a rectangular hollow opening in upper section B to receive             the tine(s) of the divot repair tool H.         -   the placement of the divot repair tool H, the ball marker I,             and the magnet J in upper section A.

In operation, when the golfer desires to repair a divot, he/she removes upper section A of the putter grip from lower section B of the putter grip, repairs the divot, and re-inserts upper section A into lower section B.

In operation, when the golfer desires to mark the location of the golf ball, he/she removes the ball marker I from the recessed area by using his/her thumb to slideably release the ball marker I. The golfer replaces the ball marker I by placing it back into the recessed area where it is held in place by the magnet J. 

1. A golf putter comprising; a one-piece continuous core, said core beginning in the putter head, extending through the shaft, and into the grip forming the general outline of said putter. The golf putter of claim 1 further comprising structural and/or decorative material attached to said continuous core to provide shape, function, texture, and aesthetics to said putter grip, shaft, and putter head. 